Quick links:
· Who Wants to be a Zoologist?
· ARKive on Tour
· ARKive Geographic – Exploring the World’s Biodiversity
· An Introduction to Endangered Species
· Classification
· Guess Zoo
· Biodiversity Hospital
· Adaptation – Design a Species
· Sexual Selection – The Dating Game
· Darwin’s Observations
· Animal Classification
· Darwin’s Finches
· Identification Keys – Sharks and Rays
· Animal Communication
· Human Impacts on the Environment
· ARKive School Museum
/ Who Wants to be a Zoologist?Learning outcomes:
This activity is designed to teach students about the identifiable features of different types of animal and how they are classified, and can be used to support lessons on classification.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Structure and function in living systems
· Regulation and behavior
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ ARKive on Tour
Learning outcomes:
Students will learn about different habitats and how the species found there are adapted to survive. They will also learn about the conservation issues facing a variety of global habitats and how these threats impact the species that live there.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Regulation and behavior
· Populations and ecosystems
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
· Natural hazards
/ ARKive Geographic – Exploring the World’s Biodiversity
Learning outcomes:
Students learn the definitions of biodiversity, species, habitat and ecosystem and become a ‘species expert’ for a species of their choice. Students explore these concepts by cross-referencing a map of the world’s continents with a variety of species fact cards.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
· Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
· Understanding about scientific inquiry
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Structure and function in living systems
· Populations and ecosystems
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
· Populations, resources, and environments
· Natural hazards
· Risks and benefits
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Science as a human endeavor
· Nature of Science
/ An Introduction to Endangered Species
Learning outcomes:
Students learn the definition of an endangered species and learn about various threats to their survival. They can then continue to explore threatened animals and plants around the world by playing Endangered Species Bingo.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Populations and ecosystems
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ Classification
Learning outcomes:
Students will learn about why we classify species, the different ways in which we can classify species and the key characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
· Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
/ Guess Zoo
Learning outcomes:
Guess Zoo is a fun animal guessing game that can be used to introduce or support various themes, including species diversity, adaptations, habitats and classification.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ Biodiversity Hospital
Learning outcomes:
Students will learn the importance of biodiversity and species conservation, the fine balance of the ecosystem and how to measure competing priorities.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
· Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Regulation and behavior
· Populations and ecosystems
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Science as a human endeavor
· Nature of Science
/ Adaptation – Design a Species
Learning outcomes:
By creating and designing a new species, students will learn how animals are adapted physically and behaviourally to survive in different habitats.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Structure and function in living systems
· Regulation and behavior
· Populations and ecosystems
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
· Natural hazards
/ Sexual Selection – The Dating Game
Learning outcomes:
Students learn the mechanisms of sexual selection in evolution, and explore the difference between intrasexual and intersexual selection.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Structure and function in living systems
· Regulation and behavior
/ Darwin’s Observations
Learning outcomes:
An introduction to the life and work of Darwin and the observations he made that led to his theory of evolution by natural selection.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Science as a human endeavor
· Nature of Science
· History of Science
/ Animal Classification
Learning outcomes:
Compare the similarities and differences between species to help classify them into different animal groups.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
· Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
· Understanding about scientific inquiry
/ Darwin’s Finches
Learning outcomes:
Learn more about species variation and the use of identification keys by scientists.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
· Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
· Understanding about scientific inquiry
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Structure and function in living systems
· Regulation and behavior
· Populations and ecosystems
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ Identification Keys – Sharks and Rays
Learning outcomes:
Use this species identification key to identify some of the world’s most amazing sharks and rays.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
· Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
· Understanding about scientific inquiry
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Structure and function in living systems
· Regulation and behavior
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ Animal Communication
Learning outcomes:
Students will learn why animals communicate with one another and the different methods used. Students will also learn how to carry out research on a species and select the relevant information to write a video narration.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Regulation and behavior
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ Human Impacts on the Environment
Learning outcomes:
Students will learn about how humans can have a negative impact on the environment and endangered species. They will be asked to consider how human impacts can be measured, and what can be done to help.
Grades 5-8
Content Standard C: Life Science
· Populations and ecosystems
· Reproduction and heredity
· Regulation and behavior
· Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Content Standard E: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
· Populations, resources, and environments
· Risks and benefits
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
· Changes in environments
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science
· Nature of Science
/ ARKive School Museum
Learning outcomes:
Through an exploration of endangered species and conservation issues, students are transformed into endangered species experts. Using their knowledge and experience of key biological concepts, students design and create a series of educational interactive exhibits for an ARKive School Museum.
21st Century Standards
General - K-8th grade
· Focuses on 21st century skills, content knowledge and expertise.
· Builds understanding across and among core subjects as well as 21st century interdisciplinary themes
· Emphasizes deep understanding rather than shallow knowledge
· Engages students with the real world data, tools, and experts they will encounter in college, on the job, and in life--students learn best when actively engaged in solving meaningful problems
· Allows for multiple measures of mastery
Environmental Literacy - K-8th grade
· Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the environment and the circumstances and conditions affecting it, particularly as relates to air, climate, land, food, energy, water and ecosystems
· Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of society’s impact on the natural world (e.g., population growth, population development, resource consumption rate, etc.)
· Investigate and analyze environmental issues, and make accurate conclusions about effective solutions
· Take individual and collective action towards addressing environmental challenges (e.g., participating in global actions, designing solutions that inspire action on environmental issues)
National Standards of Learning
Fine Arts
· NA-T.K-4.3 - Designing by Visualizing and Arranging Environments for Classroom Dramatizations
· NA-VA.K-4.3, NA-VA.5-8.3 - Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
· NA-VA.K-4.6, NA-VA.5-8.6 - Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
Language Arts
· NL-ENG.K-12.1 - Reading for Perspective
· NL-ENG.K-12.3 - Evaluation Strategies
· NL-ENG.K-12.4 - Communication Skills
· NL-ENG.K-12.5 - Communication Strategies
· NL-ENG.K-12.6 - Applying Knowledge
· NL-ENG.K-12.7 - Evaluating Data
· NL-ENG.K-12.8 - Developing Research Skills
· NL-ENG.K-12.11 - Participating in Society
· NL-ENG.K-12.12 - Applying Language Skills
Science
· NS.K-4.1, NS.5-8.1 - Science as Inquiry
· NS.K-4.3, NS.5-8.3 - Life Science
· NS.K-4.5, NS.5-8.5 - Science and Technology
· NS.K-4.6, NS.5-8.6 - Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
· NS.K-4.7, NS.5-8.7 - History and Nature of Science
Social Studies
· NSS-G.K-12.5 - Environment and Society
Technology
· NT.K-12.2 - Social, Ethical, and Human Issues
· NT.K-12.5 - Technology Research Tools